Binay to have Duterte probed over summary killings

DIPOLOG CITY, Philippines – If elected president, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday he would create an independent commission that would investigate the summary executions by the so-called Davao Death Squad reportedly led by presidential front-runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Binay, standard-bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance, made the statement following pronouncements from Duterte’s ally, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, that the Vice President would be the first “big fish” to be sent to jail if the tough-talking mayor wins the presidency in May.

“If I become president, as a lawyer, I will make sure that the Davao Death Squad, including Mr. Duterte, who has repeatedly admitted that he is the Davao Death Squad, will be punished,” Binay said in a press conference.

Duterte, known for his iron-fist leadership in Davao City, is linked to the DDS, a vigilante group believed to be behind the killings of criminals in the city.

To comprise the commission, Binay said, are the National Bureau of Investigation as the lead investigating agency, former Supreme Court justices, as well as representatives from human rights groups, National Press Club and the Commission on Human Rights.

But unlike the DDS and Duterte “who kill people on mere suspicion,” the planned commission would accord due process to anyone linked to the death squad, Binay said.

“We will accord Mr. Duterte and his death squad due process which they denied to their victims,” the Vice President said.

Binay’s press conference was delayed for a few minutes as he edited his prepared speech and struck out the names of local journalists allegedly killed by the DDS for their being critical of the mayor.

His original statement sent to reporters by UNA communications director Joey Salgado accused the DDS of allegedly killing Davao-based journalists and Duterte critics Jun Pala, Ferdie Lintuan and Rene Galope.

“In the eyes of Duterte, the journalists, whom he described as outspoken, are criminals who should be silenced. Is this the kind of president we would like to have?” 

When asked why he removed the names of the journalists, Binay explained that he has no proof of the allegations yet.

“I just heard of that (journalists killed by DDS), I chose not to mention that because I haven’t personally heard Duterte admitting the killings, otherwise, I will be just like him,” he said.

Binay, meanwhile, shrugged off Pimentel’s warning that he would be sent to jail if Duterte wins.

The Vice President and some members of his family are facing various corruption charges, including alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II.

“Where will they base their charges against me, on their old allegations? That’s already moot and academic,” Binay said.

He stressed that reports of the Commission on Audit have shown no irregularities in the projects of the Makati City government during his term.

“Pimentel acts as if he’s not a bar topnotcher. There’s still a process, sir,” he said.

Binay yesterday toured Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Katipunan and Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte on the second day of his campaign sortie in Zamboanga peninsula.